Charlie Nicholas' Man United and Leicester combined XI

This is Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas' Manchester United and Leicester combined XI

This is Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas' Manchester United and Leicester combined XI

The pundit believes Marcus Rashford, 18, needs to given the responsibility up front, moving superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic back into Rooney’s role.

“Unfortunately for Rooney, the reality is that for as long as he persists in the team, he is the one being blamed for United’s ills,” Collymore wrote in his column for the Mirror.

“That’s a problem for Mourinho and he has to sort it out.

“He has to tell Marcus Rashford he’s his No.9, dovetail him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the No.10 position, and give Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the right and Anthony Martial on the left the assurances and confidence they need.

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Marcus Rashford has scored three goals this season under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

“He can start doing that by moving Rooney on to pastures new.”

Youngster Rashford has been a shining light for the Red Devils since breaking onto the scene last February and shown no sign of slowing down.

Another goal for the England international in United’s 3-1 victory at Northampton in the EFL Cup this week further enhanced his reputation.

With Rooney on course to miss out, Collymore feels the link between Ibrahimovic and Rashford is the key going forward.